The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-02-10
CHAPTER XVIII.

The men went on buSily provisioning
the long-bOat, some whistling gay
tunes, others laughing and passing
jokes, all in good spirits. as though
they were going on a holiday expcdi-
| ton.
The minutes rolling past seemed
eternal. Five, ten, twenty minutes
came and went. The sun had almost
! disappeared. All the men except four
were in the long-boat. and they stood
near the gang-way ready to leave the
ship on moments notice.
Suddenly the carpenter came around
from before the galley, and walked
quickly to the gangway.
Over with You, lads he cried.
They dropped, one after another,
into the lOng-boat and cast the painter
adrift, taking the loaded quarter-boat
in tow.
| stood too much amazed to act.
Seeing the carpenter return | made
sure he had killed the bOatSwaiu; but
his behavior contradicted this idea.
If he had discovered our plan he
would never have left the ship with
out seeking revenge upon me.
WI hat then did his conduct mean.
Had the boatswain died in his hiding
place? The thought fired my blood.
Yes, believed that he had died
that the carpenter had performed his
task unmoleSted without perceiving
the corpse-and that, while l stood
there, the water was rushing into the
ships hold!
L flung myself off the poop and,
bounded forward. In the briefeSt pos
sible time | was peering down the
fore-Scuttie.
Below therew / called
There was no answer
Below there, | say, bosom"
My cry was succeeded by hollow,
humping sound.
Below therer' 1 shouted for the
third time.
heard the sounds of a foot treading
on something that crunched under the
tread.
Il am Mr.. Royle. Bosom. are you
below? For God Almightv's sake
answer. and let me know that you are
livingr'
''Have the skunks cleared out?" re-
sponded a voice. and, stumbling as he
moved, the boatswain came under the
fore-scuttle, and turned up his face.
what have you done?" l cried, al
most deliriouS.
why, plugged up two on EN-.
There's only one more, he answered.
Zone more what?"
''Leaks-holes-wha you call
EN-"
So saying he shouldered his way
back into the gloom.
1t was now as clear as daylight TO
me. In few minutes more the boat
swain face cleaned under the hatch
way
Have you done?" exclaimed.
"Aye, aye"
up with you then. Let Us swing
the main yards and get way upon the
ship"
He followed me to the main deck.
stopped and looked over the bull |
warhs. The boats still lay about three !
cable-lengths from the ship. Four
men were in the guarter-boat and the |
rest in the long-boat.
called the steward and Miss Rob |
ertson. Both of them appeared |!
promptly. l explained what was de- |
sired, and requested Miss Robertson to |
take the wheel, which she did at once.
The boatSwsin had already let go the
starboard main-braces; and as rushed |
aft he and the stewart were hauling to
leeward. threw the whole weight of |.
my body on the brace. and pulled with
the strength of two men.
PUT the wheel 20 starboardr' Icried
out; and the girl, having cast off the
lashIng with marvellous quickness, ran
the spokes over.
''She's a wonderr' cried the boat
swain, looking at her.
And so was he. The muscles on his
bare arms stood Up like Jumps OF iron